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- "Sentinels! The holy warriors of the sacred rings!"
- — A Special Operations Sangheili exclaimed upon seeing Aggressor Sentinels in the Threshold gas mine[4]
Aggressor Sentinels[5] (UNSC Z-classification: Z-1500 Automated Systems Drones, Z-1500 ASD)[2] are Forerunner automatons programmed to act as security and maintenance drones, suppress small-scale Flood outbreaks, and protect Forerunner installations. As the basic type of the fairly inclusive Sentinel class, Aggressors are generally referred to simply as Sentinels.[5]
Overview
Design details
Aggressor Sentinels have two arm-like appendages, with two fine manipulators at the end of each arm. Their central head rests above a curved undercarriage generally housing an offensive sterilization beam. Their powerful beam weapons and defensive energy shields make them very effective in combat against intruders or foreign objects that present themselves as threats. Aggressor Sentinels are also equipped with a small reconstitution emitter, which uses lasers to repair damaged Forerunner constructs in conjunction with Constructors and for self-repair should the Aggressors be damaged in combat.[6] Aggressors are propelled by both an anti-gravity unit located on the undercarriage and small, exotic form of impulse drive which enables them to travel at high speeds.[2] They are also capable of tapping into their installation's teleportation grid.[2]
There are at least two major variants of the Aggressor Sentinel. The standard model is gray or silver in color while the specialized Aggressor Sentinel Eliminator is golden. The differences between the two variants lie solely on their offensive and defensive systems, with the Eliminator sporting superior weaponry and shielding systems.[7][8][3]
Aggressors are created at specialized manufacturing facilities located on every Halo installation and on other key Forerunner installations.[6] These facilities can consist of large airborne platforms or subterranean factories where Aggressors are birthed in nanomachine vats and programmed to serve.[8][9][10] Each Forerunner installation has its own design of the Aggressor Sentinel, but they all share the same basic structure and purpose.[1]
Operation
Aggressor Sentinels were deployed in massive numbers during the Forerunner-Flood war.[1] Unlike their own biological soldiers that could be converted into biomass, the mechanical nature of the Aggressor Sentinels allowed the Forerunners to battle the Flood without contributing to its numbers.[6] Billions are estimated to be active across the myriad of Forerunner installations where they are utilized as all-purpose workers and guards.[1] Following the construction of the Halo Array, they were installed on the ringworlds as their first line of defense against Flood outbreaks and other external threats. Controlled by their own basic ancilla functions, as well as their installation's monitor, Aggressors patrol the installation's vast terrain and network tunnels tirelessly and attack as their protocol demands.[6]
When not in combat, Aggressors serve as basic repair, maintenance, and security drones for Forerunner installations and facilities where Flood samples are kept, working in conjunction with Constructors and Enforcers to ensure that the facility remains in working order.[7]
The keyship Anodyne Spirit was equipped with its own contingent of Aggressor Sentinels. The San'Shyuum managed to adapt these machines to serve them in a combat support role, using them in battles during the War of Beginnings before the Covenant's formation.[11] The war depleted the keyship's Sentinel contingent almost completely, and the few that remained in High Charity were regarded as relics to be preserved and were no longer used in combat.[12]
Combat behavior
Aggressor Sentinels are the first automated defense systems to assist a in a given situation and generate a proper response protocol, deploying to an area of interest via wall-mounted launchers.[7][3] While Aggressors are strong enough to handle small-scale battles, they are more of a supplement rather than a reliable combat system. The Aggressors' weapons systems are limited and not as powerful as some of the other Forerunner weapons employed against the Flood.[7][8] Because of their limited ancilla, they are only individually able to handle situations on a basic scale, which makes them vulnerable to strategic Flood attacks.[10] Their limited intelligence means they are often unable to perform evasive maneuvers when facing imminent attack and are usually destroyed.[7][8][3] In overwhelming numbers, Aggressors are capable of impressive coordination and are more than capable of handling a situation for a certain time until more permanent measures can be applied.[10]
The Aggressor's energy shield is their primary defense mechanism. Once taken down, it is susceptible to small-arms fire. When an Aggressor has been damaged beyond repair, it explodes violently and releases a powerful electromagnetic pulse, a tactical last resort that disables all nearby electronics.[7][8] If all other members of a swarm of Aggressors have been destroyed, the last remaining Aggressors have, on occasion, been observed to overload their core while attempting to ram nearby belligerents.[3]
When faced with a single threat of sufficient physical size, such as a capital ship, Aggressors have been known to deploy en masse and create a swarm. Instead of using their individual weapons, they fly in formation and use their bodies as projectiles, causing enough damage to end the threat. This was seen during the conflict on Installation 00 in 2559, when Enduring Conviction's energy projector was fired upon the surface of the Ark, breaking the installation's outer crust. Thousands of Aggressors on the installation were quick to respond, using their combined mass to tear the ship's hull apart and cut it into two pieces.[13]
Variants
- Standard Aggressor Sentinel: Each Forerunner facility has its own unique variation of the standard Aggressor Sentinel, but they all share the same basic structural design and methods of operation.[1]
A chassis of the Aggressor Sentinel deployed during the Battle of Installation 00 and Installation 08.
A chassis of the Aggressor Sentinel used during the Battle of Trove.
A chassis of the Aggressor Sentinel deployed during the Battle of Installation 05 and Requiem and the Second Ark Conflict.
A chassis of the Aggressor Sentinel used during the Battle for Zeta Halo.
- Aggressor Sentinel Eliminator: The Aggressor Sentinel Eliminator functions very similarly to the standard Aggressor Sentinel. However, they are fitted with gold-colored armor and a stronger energy shield. Eliminators are equipped with alternate weapons that can include a more powerful Sentinel Beam that fires blue energy or a Heatwave.[7][8][3]
A chassis of Aggressor Sentinel Eliminator deployed during the Flood-outbreak on Installation 05.
A chassis of Aggressor Sentinel Eliminator deployed during the Battle for Zeta Halo.
Gameplay
Changes from Halo: Combat Evolved to Halo 2
- The Aggressor Sentinel received a graphical update.
- There are now unshielded Aggressor Sentinels
- There are now two variants of Aggressor Sentinel: The standard grayish-silver and gold variants.
- The Aggressor Sentinel's beam weapon can now be used when the Sentinel is destroyed.
Changes from Halo 2 to Halo 3
- There is now only one variant of Sentinel: the standard grayish-silver type.
- The Sentinel now sports a blue "eye" and teal lights.
Changes from Halo 3 to Halo 4
- Sentinels have undergone a moderate visual redesign, now sporting a more rounded carapace.
- Sentinels now make a much less shrill whirring sound while flying.
- Sentinels now fire a bluish-colored beam, similar to the beam of the golden Sentinel of Halo 2, instead of an orange beam.
- Sentinels will no longer explode when destroyed; instead they teleport away after sustaining severe damage. Because of this behavior, combined with the lack of the weapon's appearance in the game, the Sentinel beam cannot be obtained in Halo 4.
Changes from Halo 4 to Halo Infinite
- Sentinels are more expressive in their muteness and will tilt and move their arms in various situations.
- The Aggressor Sentinel Eliminator from Halo 2 returns, this time equipped with a Heatwave instead of the Gold Sentinel Beam.
- Sentinels will now melee with their arms if an enemy gets too close.
- The last sentinel in a group will often overload with a loud sound and then charge the enemy, exploding.
- Sentinels are weak to shock weapons and take more damage when shot in their eye.
- Sentinels are not hostile to Banished forces and can be seen collaborating with them.
Halo Wars
- Info: A flying Forerunner unit, the Sentinel will inflict corrosive damage with a dangerous beam weapon.
- Cost: Population 1, Tech level 1, Supplies 100
Aggressors appear in both campaign and Skirmish mode of Halo Wars, serving as an air unit. In campaign, Aggressors are the primary Forerunner unit, appearing on levels set within Trove. Like all Forerunner units, they are hostile towards all three other factions, including UNSC, Covenant, and the Flood. They are produced from invisible spawn points that could not be targetted or destroyed.
In Skirmish mode, neutral Aggressors are seen defending Forerunner forts, which occupied base build sites, and bonus buildings such as the Forerunner supply elevator or Forerunner secondary reactor. Player-aligned Aggressors are only found on Skirmish maps Repository and Glacial Ravine. These two maps feature Sentinel factories, where players can purchase Aggressors which can then be added to their forces.
Halo Wars 2 Open Beta
These units will defend the Domination Point in Domination.
Halo Wars 2
Aggressors Sentinel are normally a hostile unit, but Professor Anders' upgrade for the Protector Sentinel allows Aggressor Sentinels to be its escort. Aggressors have a smaller version known as the Sentinel Swarm, which is impervious to most attacks, except when struck by an EMP MAC or the Aggressor Sentinel coordinating it is destroyed.[14][15] On the skirmish map, a group of three Aggressors can be seen guarding a Power Node and it has the ability to de-capture the Power Node should anyone takes control of it while the Aggressors is around. In Skirmish, Professor Anders can utilize her leader power Ark Defense and Sentinel Beacon to spawn the Aggressors Sentinel to draw the anti-air's attention.
Trivia
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- Chris Hughes created the original concept art of the Aggressor Sentinel.[16]
- Aggressor Sentinels share both similar design and functions to that of the P'fhor Defense Drones from the Marathon series. In addition, they share the same weaknesses against shotgun and plasma/fusion pistol fire.
- A lone Aggressor Sentinel that fires sporadic Needler rounds can be found on the Halo 2 campaign level, Quarantine Zone. The Aggressor will drop a Needler when destroyed. This is the result of developer experimentation with giving Sentinels different weapons.
- On certain levels in Halo 3, it is possible to 'surf' on Aggressor Sentinels, by standing on the furthest possible point from the front of the Aggressor. This is easiest on The Ark, at the point where the light bridge must be opened for the Scorpions and Warthogs. The Aggressor will, eventually, hover over the edge, holding the player up about half of the time. Remaining on top of the Aggressor allows the player to reach inaccessible locations.
Gallery
Concept art
Early concept art of Sentinels in Halo: Combat Evolved.
Another early concept of Sentinels in Halo: Combat Evolved.
Conceptual explorations of an Aggressor Sentinel in Halo 4.
Pre-production concept art for Halo Infinite depicting a large number of inactive Aggressor Sentinels.
Early Halo Infinite concept art depicting John-117 observing swarms of Aggressor Sentinels on Installation 07.
Concept art of an Aggressor Sentinel navigating a corridor.
Concept art of Aggressor Sentinels in Halo Infinite.
More concept art of Aggressors in Halo Infinite.
Concept art of Aggressors in space around Installation 07.
Concept art of Aggressors moving to repair Installation 07 in Halo Infinite.
Concept art of Aggressor Sentinels clearing fallen trees.
Concept art of Aggressor Sentinels patrolling a river.
Artworks
Aggressor Sentinels on the cover of Halo: Escalation #21.
Renders
A Sentinel in Halo: Combat Evolved.
A Sentinel in Halo 2.
An overview of the Aggressor Sentinel in Halo 3.
Render of an Aggressor Sentinel in Halo 4.
Render of an Aggressor Sentinel in Halo 4.
Render of an Aggressor Sentinel in Halo Infinite.
Render of an Aggressor Sentinel with its eyes lit up in Halo Infinite.
Screenshots
Sentinels fighting the Flood in Halo: Combat Evolved.
A pair of Aggressors during the Battle of Installation 05 in Halo 2.
The gold variant of the Aggressor Sentinel as seen in Halo 2.
A basic overview of the Aggressor in Halo 3.
Sentinels fighting against the Covenant.
A Sentinel's energy shield in Halo 3.
A Sentinel Aggressor firing its beam.
An Aggressor in its folded-up "idle" form.
Several squadrons of Sentinels head out to deal with the Flood.
Aggressor Sentinels firing their Sentinel beam weapons on several attacking Flood combat forms.
Aggressor Sentinels in the Halo: The Master Chief Collection version of Halo 3: ODST Firefight.
An Aggressor Sentinel in Halo Wars.
An Aggressor Sentinel firing its weapon in Halo Wars.
Sentinels attacking a Hunter, as seen through the scope of a Mosa-pattern carbine wielded by John-117.
A trio of Aggressors in Halo 4 Spartan Ops.
Multiple Sentinels firing their weapons at a Promethean Knight in Halo 4 Spartan Ops.
An Aggressor Sentinel in Halo 2: Anniversary.
A side view of the Sentinel in Halo 2: Anniversary.
Two Aggressors alongside a Constructor in Halo 2: Anniversary.
A Sentinel in the Halo Wars 2 Open Beta.
Sentinels within Installation 00 in Halo Wars 2.
A swarm of Aggressors in formation in Halo Wars 2.
Aggressors in a subterranean Forerunner facility in Halo Infinite.
Some Aggressors patrolling on Installation 07 in Halo Infinite.
A Sentinel Aggressor on the surface of Installation 07 in Halo Infinite.
A Sentinel Aggressor firing its beam weapon in Halo Infinite.
Aggressors scanning the wreckage of a Mulsanne-class light frigate in Halo Infinite.
An Aggressor using its scanner in Halo Infinite.
An Aggressor with its energy shield in Halo Infinite.
An Aggressor prepares to self-destruct in Halo Infinite.
A crashed Aggressor on Installation 07 in Halo Infinite campaign.
A crashed Aggressor on Installation 07 in Halo Infinite map Fragmentation.
List of appearances
Sources
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 327
- ^ a b c d e f Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 133
- ^ a b c d e f Halo Infinite
- ^ Halo 2, campaign level The Arbiter
- ^ a b Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 167
- ^ a b c d Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), "Chapter 8", page 226-227
- ^ a b c d e f g Halo 2, campaign level Sacred Icon
- ^ a b c d e f Halo 2, campaign level Quarantine Zone
- ^ Halo Wars
- ^ a b c Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 326
- ^ Halo: Broken Circle, pages 6, 9
- ^ Halo: Broken Circle, page 189
- ^ Halo Wars 2
- ^ Halo Wars 2, Campaign level The Cartographer
- ^ Halo Wars 2, Campaign level Gatecrashers
- ^ The Art of Halo, page 44
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